LVHS soccer teams play this weekend at Douglas, Buffalo

A two-week break is almost over for the Lander Valley High School soccer teams.

The LVHS Tigers haven't played a match since a 1-1 tie with the Rawlins Outlaws Thursday, March 28.

LVHS returns to action Friday, April 12, at Douglas.

"We are anxious to get back it," LVHS coach Dan Howlett said.

The match time is set for 6 p.m.

LVHS is 4-0-1 on the season.

"During spring break, we had about half our team," Howlett said. "This week, we have Future Famers of America, so we are missing five starters this week. We will be a little rusty. We had good practices over spring break."

Douglas is 1-4 on the season.

"Starting with Douglas is better than Riverton, Buffalo or Jackson," Howlett said. "Douglas is down a little bit this year.It's a good benefit for us to start out with a non-conference game, one that really doesn't matter to us."

Buffalo has a 2-2-1 mark. The setbacks were to Jackson 2-1 and Gillette 1-0.

"The key thing is getting my team back together," Howlett said.

Buffalo tied Sheridan this year.

"They haven't been beaten by everybody bad," Howlett said. "They have been close to everyone they have played."

Buffalo has another physical squad this year.

"They are big and strong," Howlett said. "Buffalo's goals have been on breakaways. They have some fast kids. They try to isolate to get a ball through and then chase it down. It will be a very good game."

Forward Kyle Leemon is a scoring machine for Howlett.

Leemon was an all-state selection las year as an outside halfback.

Leemon is now playing forward.

The LVHS junior has responded scoring six goals and five assists.

"Kyle has good speed," Howlett said.

"He works incredibly hard at it. He has an excellent shot. He just goes after it."

Howlett expects Leemon to continue the scoring pace during the rest of the season.

"Being at the forward position, gives him more opportunities," Howlett said. "You still play a lot of defense as a forward. He will play strong. He loves the game."

Jackson comes into the week ranked No. 1 in Class 3-A boys soccer.

Jackson is undefeated on the season.

Buffalo has the No. 2 position LVHS is No. 3 in the polls.

Worland checks in No. 4 and Star Valley is No. 5.

"I think that the rankings are where they should be until the games come along," Howlett said.

LVHS girls on road

The pace picks up for the Lander Valley High School girls soccer team this weekend in a pair of road matches.

LVHS plays 4 p.m. Friday at Douglas.

The Tigers complete the long road trip at 11 a.m. Saturday in Buffalo.

LVHS was on spring break last week.

Lander was hit hard on Monday with a spring snowstorm and forced to scratch practice Tuesday.

"We just haven't had a lot of time to prepare," LVHS coach Dean Schaff said.

"We will have three days of practice this week. It will get a little tricky. I don't know if we are prepared."